The Armed Forces already control 93 settlements in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation

A sign with the inscription «Kursk Region», Russia. Photo: Global Look Press

As of August 20, the Armed Forces of Ukraine maintain control over more than 1,260 square kilometres of territory and 93 settlements in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation.

This was announced by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi at the Congress of local and regional authorities on the air of the national telethon.

«During the period of the offensive on the territory of the Kursk region, the Armed Forces of Ukraine advanced to the depth of the enemy's defenses from 28 to 35 km, captured 1,263 square kilometres of territory and took control of 93 settlements,» he said.

According to the Commander-in-Chief, the enemy is using maneuverable defense in an effort to prevent the further advance of units of the Defense Forces deep into Russian territory, increasing formations and moving troops from other directions.

«Further actions of our troops in this direction will depend on the development of the operational situation,» Oleksandr Syrskyi added.

Operation in the Kursk region

The Russian side claims that on August 6, the Ukrainian military tried to break through the border and gain a foothold in the Sudzhanskyi and Korenevskyi districts of the Kursk region.

On August 12, the governor of the region, Oleksii Smirnov, reported to the leader of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, that 28 settlements in the Kursk region «are under the control of the enemy.»

On the evening of August 12, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the operation in the Kursk region. According to him, this was necessary to ensure the security of the border areas from the Russian military.

The spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Heorhii Tyhyi, said that Ukraine is not interested in taking the territories of the Kursk region of Russia. Currently, Ukraine is protecting its citizens, who are being fired upon by the Russian military from the territory of this region.

We will remind that in the Kursk region, on August 14, special forces of the Security Service of Ukraine captured 102 soldiers of the 488th Guards Motorized Rifle Regiment of the Armed Forces of Russia and the special unit «Akhmat». It is noted that this is the largest capture of the enemy, which was carried out at one time.

Also, according to local media reports, six Russian soldiers were captured by the Armed Forces, and the Russian Telegram channel «VChK-OGPU» claims that the Chechen special forces «Akhmat» stationed on the border have left their positions, and 15 soldiers were injured.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that as of August 14, the Defense Forces of Ukraine destroyed the enemy in the city of Sudzha, Kursk Region of the Russian Federation. More than 100 Russian soldiers were taken prisoner, the defensive operation continues.

On August 15, representatives of Ukraine and the Russian Federation begin negotiations on the exchange of prisoners of war in the Kursk region.